May 18th, 2010
Dear St. George’s Family,
So much has happened in the past 24 hours. I find it difficult to know where to begin. Rhonda is resting in her hospital bed and I haven’t left her side. Last night I prayed in the online prayer room with many loved brothers and sisters, some I know well and others whom I have never met in person. It was a huge comfort to pray together from our hospital room. I look forward to Wednesday night when we can meet to pray again. I can’t help but feel as though God is using Rhonda’s illness to drive us to our knees and catalyze a prayer movement in our church and beyond.
After praying on line Rhonda and I tucked into our small hospital bed and drifted off to sleep, safe in the hands of our loving Lord.
Rhonda woke up this morning very sick. Her headache was a 9/10 and she was nauseous. The doctors changed her pain medication and gave her a new intravenous drip to reduce the swelling in her brain in preparation for her first radiation treatment.
At 10:30am we were wheeled down to the radiation ward. Everyone has been so very solicitous to me and to my dear wife. My mom brought Matthew in today to spend most of the day with us, too. That was a treat for us all. So off we went, Me, Rhonda, Matthew, the porter and my dear brother in Christ, Paul Charbonneau.
The technicians welcomed Matthew and me into the radiation room to see the set-up. Matthew regaled them with his plans to be a surgeon when he grows up. They were most impressed with his knowledge and interest. He was a trooper. Sitting on my lap I asked him, “How is your heart?” He whispered quietly, “Sad.” I told him that it was ok to cry and he nestled his head into my chest. I hugged him fully and deeply. I was sad too.
I then went over to Rhonda, her head held in a net-like mold, and place my arms around her shoulders. I asked if she was scared and she replied, “Yes.” I was too. So Matthew and I did the one thing we could do. Standing on either side of Rhonda we began quoting Psalm 27 from memory.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
It is one of the verses Matthew and I have committed to memory since making scripture memory part of our morning routine 8 months ago. How precious is God’s word. Peace flooded our hearts as we stood on the brink of our first radiation treatment.
The radiation treatment was quick and painless. Rhonda has been sleeping in our room ever since, with the exception of one hour when I coaxed her into a wheelchair and took her for a stroll in the sunshine.
Now we are watching and praying. The radiation may have many side effects, but the most serious at this point would be swelling. Her cranial cavity is already near maximum capacity so any swelling could be catastrophic. Please pray boldly that God would prevent any swelling in my wife’s head.
Please pray for me, too. My trust in my heavenly Father’s goodness and strength is unwavering but my heart hurts. I am feeling pressed into Jesus more and more. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Only the suffering God can help.” Indeed, I am resting in the care of the one Isaiah foretold when he wrote of the suffering servant who “ … has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”
Thank you all for your diligent and strong prayers for my wife.
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks to God for all things. Don’t quench the Spirit.
With much love,
RD
Praying and believing Rev.Glenn,That GOD will surround you all with HIS peace,Let no swelling occur inJESUS name whose is above every name.AMEN,
What a trooper Matthew is. He’s so brave, and clearly trusting in God. As hard as it must be for you to see him go through this you must be so proud of him.
God bless the three of you.
Lord, I ask that You heal Rhonda, bringing glory to Your Name through Your servants Rhonda, Ray David and Matthew, whose faith in You is unwavering.
Hey You Guys!!!
I am so sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time!!! There really are no words to express how my heart is grieving for you!!! My love to all of you!!!
Praying. Praying. Praying.
David I am filled with sorrow and I am praying to God that there will bw no swelling. I pray to God for all of you! You are very strong; a rock for Rhonda to lean on! You have each other and that is precious and worthy of thanks to God! Please, God, help Rhonda pull through this terrible affliction. God Bless! I am always thinking of you–kiss the little one and keep him close!
Hi Ray David
I missed the last few updates, but today I was thinking of Rhonda and wondering how she was doing.
I felt strongly to pray for her this afternoon as I was driving.
I am praying for you as well.
You have been a blessing to Rhonda as a loving husband
and a great Dad to Matthew.
Dan
We are praying for you all as are many of your friends. Folk from California, Tennessee, Vermont and other states are praying for strength, peace and healing. “My PRESENCE shall go with thee and I will give thee rest”.
I am praying tonight that Jesus will touch Rhonda in a very special way… that there will be no swelling and that she will not be sick from the treatments she has begun. I pray that you may all feel the presence of the precious Holy Spirit surrounding you in a very special way. What a testimony you folks are as you walk through this very difficult time. May your faith remain strong as you wait on the Great Physician to do His work.
Ray David
I am keeping you,Rhonda, and Matthew before the Lord. I can’t imagine how difficult your burden is. I am asking God to be your strength….God bless you
…….struggling to find words to convey my care over your hospital day today Ray David, Rhonda and Matthew; how extremely hard it had to be. I promise that I have been and continue to be bolding asking in Jesus Name over all your needs dear Glenn Family…. Thanks be to God with assurance that He hears our every request.
God Bless You,
Barb.
Rhonda:
My thoughts and wishes are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Sue
We stand with you through this trying time and our prayers are continuous for a complete healing. Jesus paid for our healing and we are reaching out to Him to receive it.
Although I don’t know you personally, I feel that through our God we are each connected, one to another. So many emotions tumble over one another during such a gut and heart wrenching time. I cannot pretend to feel your pain, but have been in a very similar situation that led me into these emotions. The tears that we cry from deep in our soul, when we don’t understand why, are part of God’s river of live, and are never wasted. He collects each and every tear, and cherishes it. As you know, all we can humanly do is to pray for dear Rhonda, your son and yourself. When up becomes down, and down becomes up, try to keep your feet secure in God’s promises always. Let His love wrap you in the shield and blanket of His absolute protection and presence. God’s task for us is to pray and follow His example to love, always, every moment, and cherish what we have, each moment, while we have it. With my love and prayers to each of you …. Janet
i am still praying candywhite
Our own words fail to express our hearts in times like this. Your courage amidst such suffering impacts us all. We will continue to pray that Psalm 27 be actualized. We love you all dearly.
Anthony & Sonja Does and Jim & Cathy Does
Ray David I Pray for you, Rhonda and Matthew daily.
I ask the great physician to do a mighty work in Rhonda’s body and to prevent any swelling in the brain. I also pray that you all will be strenghthened in the inner man for His glory.